There is a myth circulating that vehicle engines, especially cars, can suddenly die because of the magnetic field at the train crossing. The engine is said to be unwilling to restart because it is disturbed by the magnetic field. So, is this true?

Apparently, the news that there is a magnetic field at the railroad crossing is just a myth.

Because, if it were a fact, all passing vehicles would die. However, crashes are more common in cars passing through train crossings.

Technically, if the rail rubs against the train when passing over it, it will cause a magnetic field. The magnetic field is created due to the friction of the train and also the rails made of iron. However, the magnetic properties are only temporary and have nothing to do with the performance of the car engine.

Therefore, if the car suddenly dies or breaks down at a railroad crossing, it is not because of the magnetic field.

Road conditions are a strong reason for cars to break down at railroad crossings. Mostly because in Indonesia many railroad crossings are ugly and potholed. So, many vehicles walk slowly or crawl when passing through.

In addition, it could be due to low RPM, the engine dies. Or panic when crossing the railroad tracks so that the wrong operation causes the car engine to die.

Indonesia

Ada mitos yang beredar, bahwa mesin kendaraan khususnya mobil bisa mendadak mati karena adanya medan magnet di perlintasan kereta. Mesin disebut tidak mau menyala kembali karena terganggu oleh medan magnet tersebut. Lantas, benarkah demikian?

Ternyata, kabar yang menyatakan ada medan magnet di perlintasan kereta hanyalah mitos belaka.

Sebab, jika itu fakta, semua kendaraan yang lewat akan mati semuanya. Namun, keadaan mogok lebih sering terjadi pada mobil yang melewati perlintasan kereta.

Secara teknis, kalau rel bergesekan dengan kereta saat melintas di atasnya, maka akan menimbulkan medan magnet. Medan magnet tersebut tercipta karena adanya gesekan dari kereta dan juga rel yang terbuat dari besi. Namun sifat magnetnya hanya sementara dan tidak ada hubungannya dengan kinerja mesin mobil.

Oleh karena itu, jika mobil tiba-tiba mati atau mogok saat di perlintasan kereta api itu bukan karena medan magnet.

Faktor kondisi jalan menjadi alasan kuat mobil mogok di perlintasan kereta. Kebanyakan karena di Indonesia banyak perlintasan jalan kereta yang jelek dan berlubang. Maka, banyak kendaraan berjalan pelan atau merangkak saat melewatinya.

Selain itu, bisa saja karena RPM rendah, mesin jadi mati. Atau kepanikan saat melewati rel kereta api sehingga salah pengoperasian sehingga mesin mobil menjadi mati.